AMD denies reports company is for sale

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is denying reports that executives have taken steps that could lead to the company's sale.

Speculation began to spread Tuesday afternoon after Reuters reported that AMD has hired JPMorgan Chase & Co to explore business options, including a potential sale. According to Reuters, which cited unnamed sources, AMD is not focused on an outright sale of the company but could be looking to offload its patent portfolio.

However, late this afternoon, AMD said it's not looking to sell. "AMD's board and management believe that the strategy the company is currently pursuing to drive long-term growth by leveraging AMD's highly-differentiated technology assets is the right approach to enhance shareholder value," the company said in an email to Computerworld. "AMD is not actively pursuing a sale of the company or significant assets at this time."

Zeus Kerravala, an analyst with ZK Research, said he wouldn't be surprised if AMD was looking into different sale options.

"I think selling off parts of the business would make sense," he said. "Raise some cash and then get laser focused in the higher growth areas.... Sell off some of the dead parts of the business and focus on gaming, mobile, etc. -- the high growth areas. Ditch PCs."

Copyright 2015 IDG Communications. ABN 14 001 592 650. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of IDG Communications is prohibited.